Clarke, William Nelson (1875-1927)

William Nelson Clarke was an examiner for the Mainland Fire Underwriters Association of British Columbia. He lived at 1859 Robson Street in 1918 and 1919.

He was born on September 21, 1875, in New Westminster, British Columbia. His father was James Anthony Clarke (1834-1914), a master mariner who at one time owned the site of Port Moody, British Columbia. William’s mother was Catherine (Katie) Magowan (1848-1928).

William went to school in New Westminster and in Port Moody. He was active in sports, especially lacrosse.

William worked in a series of office jobs, including the law firm of Howay and Reid and the real estate business of Turner and Hart. Then he worked with Frederick James Hart until he left in 1902 to be with the Mainland Underwriters Association until about 1910. He then worked in the real estate and insurance business, until he re-joined the Mainland Fire Underwriters Association in 1915, where he continued to work for the rest of his career.

On February 2, 1904, In New Westminster, William married Annetta Flora Macdonald. She was born in New Westminster on Mary 12, 1880. Her father was James Alexander MacDonald. Her mother was Mary Frances Murphy.

William died in Vancouver on April 1, 1927. He was buried in the Masonic Cemetery in New Westminster.

Sometime later (probably after mid-1955), Annetta married William’s brother, Frederick William Clarke, who was a marine engineer. He was born on June 3, 1884, in Port Moody, British Columbia.

Annetta died in Essondale, British Columbia, on November 23, 1964. She was buried in the Masonic Cemetery in New Westminster.

Frederick died in Vancouver on August 14, 1965. He was buried in the Masonic Cemetery in New Westminster.

William and Annetta had the following children.

Doris Evelyn Clarke

Doris Evelyn Clarke was born in Vancouver on March 24, 1907.

On April 2, 1932, in Vancouver, Doris married Reginald David Davies, who was an accountant. He was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. His father was Reginald Davies (1875-1944). His mother was Helen MacNair (1872-1960).

Reginald later worked as paymaster for the forestry company of MacMillan Bloedel.

Doris died in Vancouver on May 28, 1955.

Reginald later married Mildred L’Amie. She was born on October 14, 1908, in Brandon, Manitoba. Her father was William George L’Amie (1877-1957). Her mother was Mary Cameron (1880-1964)

Reginald died in Vancouver on June 10, 1968.

Mildred died in Vancouver on May 19, 1985.

Lois Francis Clarke

Lois Francis Clarke was born in New Westminster, British Columbia, on May 16, 1914.

Lois married Donald Emerson Beaton, who was a salesman for the Pacific Milk Company. He was born in Vancouver on December 13, 1917. He died in Cranbrook, British Columbia, on June 22, 1952.

Sometime after 1964, Lois married Frederick James Corbett, who was a building supervisor in the construction industry. He was born in Calgary, Alberta, on February 29, 1922. His father was Ernest Corbett. His mother was Mabel Shaw.

Frederick died in Vancouver on December 17, 1972.

Lois died in Vancouver on February 23, 1975.

Eleanor Zelma Clarke

Eleanor Zelma Clarke was born in British Columbia, about 1914. She may have been a twin sister of Lois, who was also born in 1914.

Eleanor married Charles Roland Bunting. He was born in Victoria, British Columbia, on August 18, 1912. His father was Charles Roland Bunting (1872-1912). His mother was Nellie Baxter Dickenson (1875-1949).

Charles (Eleanor’s husband) worked as a supervisor for the Canadian Underwriters Association. He died in Vancouver on May 30, 1964.

Sources

James Anthony Clarke and Catherine (Katie) Magowan (parents of William Nelson Clarke)

“William N. Clarke, Fire Underwriters’ Official, Succumbs,” Vancouver Province, April 2, 1927, page 16: “Death occurred suddenly Friday after a brief illness of William Nelson Clarke, aged 52, assistant secretary of the B.C. Fire Underwriters’ Association, at his residence, 2804 First avenue west. A native of New Westminster, the deceased was the son of the late Captain James A. Clarke and Mrs. Clarke. Mr. Clarke was a member of the famous New Westminster Salmonbellies’ lacrosse team. Besides his wife, he is survived by three daughters, Doris, Lois and Eleanor; his mother, Mrs. J.A. Clark; three brothers, Albert J., Anthony C. and Frederick W. Clarke, and three sisters, Misses F.M. and Ellen Clarke of Vancouver and Mrs. J. Lye of Port Moody. Funeral services will be held Monday at 2 p.m. at the T. Edwards Company’s chapel, under the auspices of the Order of Blue Goose. Interment will be in the family plot, New Westminster.”

The death notice for Doris Evelyn Davies (née Clarke) [Vancouver Sun, May 30, 1955, page 30] refers to Doris’s mother as “Mrs. W.M[sic] Clarke.” When Annetta died in 1964, she was married to Frederick William Clarke, so that marriage probably occurred between mid-1955 and 1964.